U.S. Government Awards Moderna $176 Million to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine Amid Rising Concern

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The U.S. government has allocated a substantial $176 million contract to vaccine maker Moderna to aid in the development of a pandemic influenza vaccine for humans. This move comes in response to growing concerns about a bird flu outbreak affecting cattle on U.S. dairy farms. Although there is currently no evidence of the virus spreading from human to human, the potential for the virus to evolve and increase the risk to the general public remains a pressing concern.

 

The outbreak, which began in March, has already led to three confirmed infections among dairy workers. Experts warn that this number is likely to grow as the situation progresses. The funding provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will support the late-stage development of an mRNA-based vaccine. This vaccine leverages the same technology used in Moderna's highly successful COVID-19 vaccine, developed during the peak of the global pandemic.

 

Moderna's candidate bird flu vaccine is currently undergoing phase one trials, with data on its effectiveness expected to be available in the coming weeks. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dawn O'Connell, stated during a recent call with reporters that if the vaccine candidate is found to be safe and effective, a phase three trial is anticipated to begin in 2025. O'Connell emphasized the importance of the contract between BARDA and Moderna, noting that it includes an option to accelerate development. "If it looks like we're starting to see some pressure regarding what is happening with the dairy cows and starting to get extraordinarily concerned about additional human cases, severity of human cases, human-to-human transmission," O'Connell explained, the development process could be expedited.

 

In addition to the Moderna vaccine, the federal government has contracted CSL Seqirus to produce 4.8 million doses of an existing bird flu vaccine that uses a traditional vaccine platform. The first doses of this vaccine are expected to be completed later this month. Officials are considering making these doses available to farm workers who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus. However, the finished doses will still need to undergo final approvals from the FDA and CDC before they can be deployed.

 

"At this point, we remain extraordinarily watchful," O'Connell said, highlighting the cautious approach being taken by health authorities. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is collaborating closely with other public health partners to determine the appropriate timing for moving these vaccines from production lines to deployment. Among the considerations is whether other methods, such as increased use of antivirals in cows, might be more effective than human vaccine campaigns, which could potentially face low uptake.

 

In a related development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration released a study confirming that flash pasteurization of milk effectively destroys the bird flu virus. This finding reassures the public about the safety of dairy products amidst the outbreak. Federal officials reiterated that individuals should avoid consuming raw milk products to minimize the risk of infection.

 

The allocation of $176 million to Moderna for the development of a bird flu vaccine underscores the U.S. government's proactive stance in addressing potential public health threats. By leveraging the proven mRNA technology, which played a crucial role in combating COVID-19, health authorities aim to stay ahead of the evolving bird flu situation. As Dawn O'Connell noted, the situation requires vigilant monitoring and readiness to act swiftly should the virus pose a greater threat to human health. The collaboration between federal agencies, vaccine manufacturers, and public health officials represents a comprehensive effort to safeguard public health and prevent a potential pandemic.

 

The government’s decision to prioritize the development of both mRNA and traditional vaccines reflects a multi-faceted approach to pandemic preparedness. While the mRNA vaccine is being fast-tracked for potential rapid response, the traditional vaccine provides a backup option that could be deployed more immediately to high-risk populations, such as farm workers. This dual strategy ensures that there are multiple lines of defense against the bird flu virus, enhancing the overall resilience of the public health system.

 

Credit: AXIOS 2024-07-04

 

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[Tug]

That’s good news being prepared and pragmatic is a good thing 

[jcmj]

Highly successful Covid vaccine 😂 I guess we will just have to wait and see how this goes. It’ll probably mutate before they get the first batch, then require follow up shots, not vaccines. 

[candide]

24 minutes ago, jcmj said:

Highly successful Covid vaccine 😂 I guess we will just have to wait and see how this goes. It’ll probably mutate before they get the first batch, then require follow up shots, not vaccines. 

It is quite possible that the virus will mutate. However, It's much faster to adapt a vaccine to a mutation, than to start from scratch.

 

[john donson]

bird flu, same as swine flu and covid... all the same people behind this

 

gain of function

[candide]

13 minutes ago, john donson said:

bird flu, same as swine flu and covid... all the same people behind this

 

gain of function

More B.S. conspiracy theories, as usual! 😀

[RichardColeman]

How many shares does Pelosi - and other politicians of all sides - have in Moderna ? 

[champers]

3 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

How many shares does Pelosi - and other politicians of all sides - have in Moderna ? 

Or other close family members.